# NTSB CHI85LA179: Pitts Pitts S2B, N260JH, Indianapolis, IN, April 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.900085, -86.179298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9001&lon=-86.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA179

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT PERFORMED 4 AILERON ROLLS DURING WHICH SOME ALT WAS LOST WITH EACH ROLL. DURING THE FINAL ROLL A WING MADE GROUND CONTACT AND FOLDED AS THE ACFT SLID TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N260JH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260JH), registered now, S/N 5012, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pitts PITTS S2B
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 0110304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5012
- Airframe hours: 198
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Hobbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1984, 94 hours before
- Airport: I52, Indianapolis Terry, runway 36, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,385 total, 195 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850428019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428019379A), Apr 28, 1985: Child S2BPITTS, Indianapolis, IN, Destroyed. Wingtip struck runway during a series of unauthorized aileron rolls. Aircraft cartwheeled to a stop.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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